Certified Nursing Assistant

The CNA course prepares students to provide personal care in healthcare settings, meeting state and federal requirements and opening pathways to immediate employment and further healthcare careers.

Learning Outcomes:

Students will build a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology, gaining an understanding of how the body’s structure and function work together. They will develop key patient observation skills to effectively assess and monitor conditions, while learning the fundamentals of compassionate, competent patient care.

The course also covers patients’ legal rights, including confidentiality and informed consent, and builds skills in accurate documentation and reporting. Additionally, students will learn important safety protocols to protect both patients and healthcare professionals.

Requirements

This class requires verification that you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Eligibility must be verified before the class begins.

Step 1: Review the Acceptable Documents for Verification (PDF) for the full list of documentation that qualifies.
Step 2: If you have questions after reviewing the PDF, please contact us.

Health Declaration

CNA students must meet established physical, mental, and behavioral standards to safely participate in the program and clinical environment. This document outlines the essential qualifications, including physical abilities, sensory and cognitive skills, communication requirements, and professional conduct expectations. Students are responsible for reviewing these standards and confirming their ability to meet them, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Health Declaration

CNA Course Description and Career Pathways

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course prepares students to provide hands-on care in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care, assisted living, home health, and hospice.

The course meets federal and Idaho state requirements and includes 88 hours of classroom and lab instruction, plus 32 hours of clinical experience under a registered nurse (RN).

Graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment and gain a strong foundation for advancing into other healthcare careers such as nursing, radiologic technology, and surgical technology.

Who Should Attend?

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a crucial step for individuals seeking to work or advance in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other patient care environments.

CNA Course Admission Requirements

To meet industry standards, students must complete the following steps before enrolling in the CNA course:

1. Create an Account
Set up your account with American DataBank (ADB).

2. Purchase Required Items

  • CSI Tracking Package (12 months – $17)
  • Background Check ($52 + additional county fees)

3. Immunizations
Provide proof of TB test, Flu vaccine, and COVID vaccine.
(Exemptions for Flu and COVID are available in ADB.)
Upload all records directly to your ADB account.

4. Health Declaration Form
Complete, sign, and upload the Health Declaration form to your ADB account.

5. Drug Consent Form
Electronically sign the drug consent form in ADB.
Note: This does not complete your drug screen.

6. 7+ Panel Drug Screen
Complete your drug screen at a Physician’s Immediate Care Center (preferred location).

A Step-by-Step Admission Guide is available [here].

After Completion
Once all requirements are approved in ADB, HSHS staff will contact you via email with registration instructions—no need to reach out.

Need Help?
HSHS Office: 208-732-6700
Workforce Office: 208-732-6310

Additional Costs

Fixed Costs

  • Textbook (CSI Bookstore): $53+
  • American DataBank (Complio): $17
  • Manual Skills Test (per attempt): $75
  • Written Test (per attempt): $50

Variable Costs

  • Scrubs
  • Analog watch (with second hand)
  • Closed-toed shoes
  • 3-ring binder and pen
  • Drug screen
  • Background check
  • TB test
  • Influenza vaccine

Certification and Exam Process:

After the Course

After completing the CNA course, you’ll be eligible to take the Manual Skills Test and Written Test—both required for the Idaho CNA Registry.

Manual Skills Test

  • Perform 5–7 random skills
  • ~1 hour total (half as CNA, half as patient)
  • Immediate pass/fail results
  • Up to 3 attempts (fee each time)

Written Test

  • 90 minutes (written or oral, English only)
  • Offered at CSI, HSHS, and Burley sites
  • Registration required through HSHS
  • Up to 3 attempts (fee each time)

Idaho CNA Registry

  • Managed by the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
  • Stay active by working at least 8 hours every 2 years
  • Renewal is based on most recent employment
  • If inactive for over 2 years, you may need approval to retake both tests to regain certification

Explore Your Career Options

If you are interested in learning about career opportunities in the Magic Valley take a look below.

If you are interested in learning more about our Work-Based Learning Center resources explore your options below.

Instructor Bio

Eliecea Wheeler

Learning Outcomes:

Students will build a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology, gaining an understanding of how the body’s structure and function work together. They will develop key patient observation skills to effectively assess and monitor conditions, while learning the fundamentals of compassionate, competent patient care.

The course also covers patients’ legal rights, including confidentiality and informed consent, and builds skills in accurate documentation and reporting. Additionally, students will learn important safety protocols to protect both patients and healthcare professionals.

Requirements

This class requires verification that you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Eligibility must be verified before the class begins.

Step 1: Review the Acceptable Documents for Verification (PDF) for the full list of documentation that qualifies.
Step 2: If you have questions after reviewing the PDF, please contact us.

Health Declaration

CNA students must meet established physical, mental, and behavioral standards to safely participate in the program and clinical environment. This document outlines the essential qualifications, including physical abilities, sensory and cognitive skills, communication requirements, and professional conduct expectations. Students are responsible for reviewing these standards and confirming their ability to meet them, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Health Declaration

CNA Course Description and Career Pathways

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course prepares students to provide hands-on care in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care, assisted living, home health, and hospice.

The course meets federal and Idaho state requirements and includes 88 hours of classroom and lab instruction, plus 32 hours of clinical experience under a registered nurse (RN).

Graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment and gain a strong foundation for advancing into other healthcare careers such as nursing, radiologic technology, and surgical technology.

Who Should Attend?

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a crucial step for individuals seeking to work or advance in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other patient care environments.

CNA Course Admission Requirements

To meet industry standards, students must complete the following steps before enrolling in the CNA course:

1. Create an Account
Set up your account with American DataBank (ADB).

2. Purchase Required Items

  • CSI Tracking Package (12 months – $17)
  • Background Check ($52 + additional county fees)

3. Immunizations
Provide proof of TB test, Flu vaccine, and COVID vaccine.
(Exemptions for Flu and COVID are available in ADB.)
Upload all records directly to your ADB account.

4. Health Declaration Form
Complete, sign, and upload the Health Declaration form to your ADB account.

5. Drug Consent Form
Electronically sign the drug consent form in ADB.
Note: This does not complete your drug screen.

6. 7+ Panel Drug Screen
Complete your drug screen at a Physician’s Immediate Care Center (preferred location).

A Step-by-Step Admission Guide is available [here].

After Completion
Once all requirements are approved in ADB, HSHS staff will contact you via email with registration instructions—no need to reach out.

Need Help?
HSHS Office: 208-732-6700
Workforce Office: 208-732-6310

Additional Costs

Fixed Costs

  • Textbook (CSI Bookstore): $53+
  • American DataBank (Complio): $17
  • Manual Skills Test (per attempt): $75
  • Written Test (per attempt): $50

Variable Costs

  • Scrubs
  • Analog watch (with second hand)
  • Closed-toed shoes
  • 3-ring binder and pen
  • Drug screen
  • Background check
  • TB test
  • Influenza vaccine

Certification and Exam Process:

After the Course

After completing the CNA course, you’ll be eligible to take the Manual Skills Test and Written Test—both required for the Idaho CNA Registry.

Manual Skills Test

  • Perform 5–7 random skills
  • ~1 hour total (half as CNA, half as patient)
  • Immediate pass/fail results
  • Up to 3 attempts (fee each time)

Written Test

  • 90 minutes (written or oral, English only)
  • Offered at CSI, HSHS, and Burley sites
  • Registration required through HSHS
  • Up to 3 attempts (fee each time)

Idaho CNA Registry

  • Managed by the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
  • Stay active by working at least 8 hours every 2 years
  • Renewal is based on most recent employment
  • If inactive for over 2 years, you may need approval to retake both tests to regain certification

Explore Your Career Options

If you are interested in learning about career opportunities in the Magic Valley take a look below.

If you are interested in learning more about our Work-Based Learning Center resources explore your options below.

Instructor Bio

Alma Padron

Learning Outcomes:

Students will build a strong foundation in human anatomy and physiology, gaining an understanding of how the body’s structure and function work together. They will develop key patient observation skills to effectively assess and monitor conditions, while learning the fundamentals of compassionate, competent patient care.

The course also covers patients’ legal rights, including confidentiality and informed consent, and builds skills in accurate documentation and reporting. Additionally, students will learn important safety protocols to protect both patients and healthcare professionals.

Requirements

This class requires verification that you are a U.S. citizen or eligible non-citizen. Eligibility must be verified before the class begins.

Step 1: Review the Acceptable Documents for Verification (PDF) for the full list of documentation that qualifies.
Step 2: If you have questions after reviewing the PDF, please contact us.

Health Declaration

CNA students must meet established physical, mental, and behavioral standards to safely participate in the program and clinical environment. This document outlines the essential qualifications, including physical abilities, sensory and cognitive skills, communication requirements, and professional conduct expectations. Students are responsible for reviewing these standards and confirming their ability to meet them, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Health Declaration

CNA Course Description and Career Pathways

The Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) course prepares students to provide hands-on care in a variety of healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care, assisted living, home health, and hospice.

The course meets federal and Idaho state requirements and includes 88 hours of classroom and lab instruction, plus 32 hours of clinical experience under a registered nurse (RN).

Graduates are well-prepared for immediate employment and gain a strong foundation for advancing into other healthcare careers such as nursing, radiologic technology, and surgical technology.

Who Should Attend?

Becoming a Certified Nursing Assistant (CNA) is a crucial step for individuals seeking to work or advance in various healthcare settings, including hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and other patient care environments.

CNA Course Admission Requirements

To meet industry standards, students must complete the following steps before enrolling in the CNA course:

1. Create an Account
Set up your account with American DataBank (ADB).

2. Purchase Required Items

  • CSI Tracking Package (12 months – $17)
  • Background Check ($52 + additional county fees)

3. Immunizations
Provide proof of TB test, Flu vaccine, and COVID vaccine.
(Exemptions for Flu and COVID are available in ADB.)
Upload all records directly to your ADB account.

4. Health Declaration Form
Complete, sign, and upload the Health Declaration form to your ADB account.

5. Drug Consent Form
Electronically sign the drug consent form in ADB.
Note: This does not complete your drug screen.

6. 7+ Panel Drug Screen
Complete your drug screen at a Physician’s Immediate Care Center (preferred location).

A Step-by-Step Admission Guide is available [here].

After Completion
Once all requirements are approved in ADB, HSHS staff will contact you via email with registration instructions—no need to reach out.

Need Help?
HSHS Office: 208-732-6700
Workforce Office: 208-732-6310

Additional Costs

Fixed Costs

  • Textbook (CSI Bookstore): $53+
  • American DataBank (Complio): $17
  • Manual Skills Test (per attempt): $75
  • Written Test (per attempt): $50

Variable Costs

  • Scrubs
  • Analog watch (with second hand)
  • Closed-toed shoes
  • 3-ring binder and pen
  • Drug screen
  • Background check
  • TB test
  • Influenza vaccine

Certification and Exam Process:

After the Course

After completing the CNA course, you’ll be eligible to take the Manual Skills Test and Written Test—both required for the Idaho CNA Registry.

Manual Skills Test

  • Perform 5–7 random skills
  • ~1 hour total (half as CNA, half as patient)
  • Immediate pass/fail results
  • Up to 3 attempts (fee each time)

Written Test

  • 90 minutes (written or oral, English only)
  • Offered at CSI, HSHS, and Burley sites
  • Registration required through HSHS
  • Up to 3 attempts (fee each time)

Idaho CNA Registry

  • Managed by the Idaho Department of Health & Welfare
  • Stay active by working at least 8 hours every 2 years
  • Renewal is based on most recent employment
  • If inactive for over 2 years, you may need approval to retake both tests to regain certification

Explore Your Career Options

If you are interested in learning about career opportunities in the Magic Valley take a look below.

If you are interested in learning more about our Work-Based Learning Center resources explore your options below.

Instructor Bio

Alma Padron